Well it is spring time! How is your home doing? This is a great time to take a day and check the health of your home.
Winter time in the northwest can be hard on your home because of all the rain and wind so it's a good idea to check things out before small things can become big problems.
Here are some things to check out.
Outside your Home: * Inspect all of the siding and trim.
* Check and remove any moss, it can add excessive moisture and cause rot * Check for rot on all of the siding and trim.
You can use a screwdriver and lightly probe the wood to see if it is rotten * Check all of the caulking and siding for deterioration or cracks * If your windows are newer, check the weep holes and make sure they are clear (weep holes are small rectangular holes at the bottom of your windows on the outside..
..
not all windows have them) They allow any water caught in the window track to drain.
* Check the condition of the paint.
Is it time for a paint job? * Inspect and clean out your gutters.
If you have splash blocks under the downspouts make sure they are in place.
If you don't have them, go buy some! * Make sure there is no standing water or low spots where water can sit up against the foundation.
* Inspect the roof.
You can use binoculars if you don't want to get up on the roof.
Clean any moss.
You might want to think twice before using a pressure washer.
They can sometimes cause more damage that its worth.
Also, look at all of the metal flashing around the chimney, plumbing vents, skylights, etc.
* If you have a wood burning fireplace, you may want to get the chimney inspected and cleaned * Look for any exterior cracks or holes and seal them up with caulking.
* Check the foundation for any cracks or movement * Check the screens in your foundation to see if any need to be replaced.
That's how critters get in an make a home of your crawlspace * Make sure your crawlspace access fits tight and is in good shape.
* Peak in the crawl space and make sure you don't have any water in there.
* See if any insulation has dropped down in the crawl space * Check to see if the vapor barrier in the crawl space is in good condition and in place.
(that's the plastic on the ground under your house) * Cut back any plant material from touching your house.
This can deteriorate siding and trim.
* Check all of your exterior spigots for any leaks and make sure they work.
Make sure the hole where the spigot comes out is sealed with calking.
If it's a nice day and you don't mind getting wet, turn the spigot on and try and stop the water flow with your thumb or hand.
If you can, you might have a broken pipe.
Call a plumber..
..
* Check and see if there are any pipes coming out of the house near the water heater or garage.
Make sure they are unobstructed.
This is probably a pressure relief pipe from the water heater.
* Make sure your dryer vent and flapper is clean and unobstructed Inside the home: * Clean your furnace filters and consider having your furnace serviced by a qualified professional.
* Clean all of your smoke detectors.
Take the cover off and clean the dust.
Replace the battery * Check for leaks under all the sinks and toilets * Clean all of the exhaust fan grills and blades * Check your water heater for any deterioration or leaks * Clean your refrigerator! Clean any drain holes and the drip pan.
Vacuum the condenser coils in the back * Inspect all of the grout and caulking around sinks, tubs and toilets.
* Inspect and clean your dryer vent.
* Make sure the metal pipe is not kinked when you push it back in! * Check for leaks at your clothes washer and make sure the drain pipe coming out of the back is secured where it goes into the drain whole.
* Check your electrical panel.
Trip the breakers to make sure they work properly * Clean your window tracks.
If you have newer vinyl windows, you can even take out the sliding portion of the window and it makes cleaning a lot easier.
Tracks can also be removed at that point * If your windows don't slide very well, consider spraying the tracks with a silicone spray.
Proper home maintenance is very important and it should be done on a regular basis.
By taking care of your home you ensure that you and your family protect your investment and have a comfortable, safe place to live for years to come.
Winter time in the northwest can be hard on your home because of all the rain and wind so it's a good idea to check things out before small things can become big problems.
Here are some things to check out.
Outside your Home: * Inspect all of the siding and trim.
* Check and remove any moss, it can add excessive moisture and cause rot * Check for rot on all of the siding and trim.
You can use a screwdriver and lightly probe the wood to see if it is rotten * Check all of the caulking and siding for deterioration or cracks * If your windows are newer, check the weep holes and make sure they are clear (weep holes are small rectangular holes at the bottom of your windows on the outside..
..
not all windows have them) They allow any water caught in the window track to drain.
* Check the condition of the paint.
Is it time for a paint job? * Inspect and clean out your gutters.
If you have splash blocks under the downspouts make sure they are in place.
If you don't have them, go buy some! * Make sure there is no standing water or low spots where water can sit up against the foundation.
* Inspect the roof.
You can use binoculars if you don't want to get up on the roof.
Clean any moss.
You might want to think twice before using a pressure washer.
They can sometimes cause more damage that its worth.
Also, look at all of the metal flashing around the chimney, plumbing vents, skylights, etc.
* If you have a wood burning fireplace, you may want to get the chimney inspected and cleaned * Look for any exterior cracks or holes and seal them up with caulking.
* Check the foundation for any cracks or movement * Check the screens in your foundation to see if any need to be replaced.
That's how critters get in an make a home of your crawlspace * Make sure your crawlspace access fits tight and is in good shape.
* Peak in the crawl space and make sure you don't have any water in there.
* See if any insulation has dropped down in the crawl space * Check to see if the vapor barrier in the crawl space is in good condition and in place.
(that's the plastic on the ground under your house) * Cut back any plant material from touching your house.
This can deteriorate siding and trim.
* Check all of your exterior spigots for any leaks and make sure they work.
Make sure the hole where the spigot comes out is sealed with calking.
If it's a nice day and you don't mind getting wet, turn the spigot on and try and stop the water flow with your thumb or hand.
If you can, you might have a broken pipe.
Call a plumber..
..
* Check and see if there are any pipes coming out of the house near the water heater or garage.
Make sure they are unobstructed.
This is probably a pressure relief pipe from the water heater.
* Make sure your dryer vent and flapper is clean and unobstructed Inside the home: * Clean your furnace filters and consider having your furnace serviced by a qualified professional.
* Clean all of your smoke detectors.
Take the cover off and clean the dust.
Replace the battery * Check for leaks under all the sinks and toilets * Clean all of the exhaust fan grills and blades * Check your water heater for any deterioration or leaks * Clean your refrigerator! Clean any drain holes and the drip pan.
Vacuum the condenser coils in the back * Inspect all of the grout and caulking around sinks, tubs and toilets.
* Inspect and clean your dryer vent.
* Make sure the metal pipe is not kinked when you push it back in! * Check for leaks at your clothes washer and make sure the drain pipe coming out of the back is secured where it goes into the drain whole.
* Check your electrical panel.
Trip the breakers to make sure they work properly * Clean your window tracks.
If you have newer vinyl windows, you can even take out the sliding portion of the window and it makes cleaning a lot easier.
Tracks can also be removed at that point * If your windows don't slide very well, consider spraying the tracks with a silicone spray.
Proper home maintenance is very important and it should be done on a regular basis.
By taking care of your home you ensure that you and your family protect your investment and have a comfortable, safe place to live for years to come.
Source...